The 2011 Rugby World Cup is fast approaching and it is now less than three months untill the top teams in the world head to New Zealand in the hope of winning the famous Webb Ellis trophy. The seventh Rugby World Cup should be an absolute cracker and it is due to explode into action on 9th September, with the final being played on 22nd October.

England will be relatively pleased with their draw having avoided the Southern hemisphere teams. Martin Johnsons men have been placed in Pool B alongside Argentina, Scotland, Georgia and Romania, which shouldnt cause them too many problems. Although, Argentina can be a very dangerous side and will be Englands major rivals for a top place finish in the group. England have a decent record in recent World Cups having been victorious in 2003 and runners up in 2007. Their memorable win eight years was of course in Australasia but, unlike in that tournament, they are not considered among the favourites this time round. Stan James have given England odds of 11/1 to win the 2011 World Cup, which on their recent World Cup form alone is worth a shot.

The hosts New Zealand are unsurprisingly the odds-on favourites due to their abundance of talent and home advantage. Richie McCaw and co are huge 4/6 favourites to win the trophy but, betting on such short odds may be quite a gamble as the All Blacks are vividly plagued by their reputation of choking on the big stage and have not won the competition since its birth in 1987. Their main rivals will be hoping that the All Blacks once again slip up and crumble, because if the home nation do find a way of coping with the immense pressure and expectation, and play anywhere near their peak, then they will win no question.

Australia can currently be found with odds of 9/2 with Stan Jam! es. The Wallabies know the conditions well and have a good record in major tournaments. However, if their performances at the 2010 Tri nations is anything to go by they won just two out of six matches then they may struggle. Their team may not be as strong as it has been but they still have every opportunity of mounting a decent challenge, especially considering they have been handed a fairly generous run to the final.

At 6/1 South Africa look like a temping bet as they bid to become the first ever nation to win back-to-back Rugby World Cups. The Springboks had a terrible Tri Nations and a mixed Autumn where they went from the woeful (losing to Scotland) to the majestic (pummelling England). However, on their day as England found out South Africa are a resilient outfit that oozes power and class, and they will definitely be one to watch as the tournament reaches the later stages.

The French rugby team are characterised by their unpredictability, you just never know which team is going to show up. Alhough they are yet to get their hands on the Web Ellis trophy, they do have a decent World Cup record; two finals and three semi finals, which will stand them in good stead. They are outsiders at 12/1 but if they can consistently play the high tempo, free flowing rugby they are famed for then they have every chance of going all the way.

Out of the rest of the home nations Ireland have the best chances of causing an upset at 20/1, while Wales are available at 50/1 and Scotland with long odds of 200/1.

Rugby World Cup Winner Betting Odds

• New Zealand 4/6
• Australia 9/2
• South Africa 6/1
• England 11/1
• France 12/1
• Irel! and 20/1
• Wales 50/1
• Argentina 125/1
• Scotland 200/1
• Samoa 500/1
• Fiji 1000/1
• Italy 1000/1
• Tonga 1000/1
• Japan 2000/1
• Romania 2000/1
• Canada 2500/1
• Usa 2500/1
• Namibia 5000/1
• Georgia 5000/1

All odds are supplied by Stan James